Its Not a Joke

[lonely16]

Why do people think that its ok to joke about mental health issues? They would never do that with physical issues. Its so hurtful and so dismissive of such real struggles.

Don't joke about "commiting", should I show you my suicide notes?
Don't joke about self-harm, should I show you my scars?
Don't joke about depression, should I tell you about my feelings?
Don't joke about OCD, should I tell you what I do?
Don't joke about anxiety, should I tell you about mine?
Just don't

[Arabesque- golfing girl.]

Hi, I'm so sorry about all of this. Some people are not very nice and they think that it is okay to make fun of other people. They enjoy making fun of others and it makes them happy and it's not a very nice thing to do. It hurts us when someone is making fun of us and when we cry or get upset, they keep going. The thing is, until they go through something like you are saying and more, they will never really understand this because they are only caring about themselves. They feeling everything is perfect for them and they are fine doing that to others. No matter who we are and what we look like and what we are all going to, you just always want to be nice to everyone no matter what. I'm sorry you are going through this and I hope that you will be okay soon. Try to do something to help you get your mind off of this. Going for a walk around your house or reading a book for a while or drawing or painting or writing or listening to music or watching movies or something else that you enjoy doing. I hope you will be okay soon. Sending you to help.

[Astro04]

Someone doesn't think about it unless he have one. It's a sad thing to say, but that's true.

[Rika]

It also bothers me too. I hate when people use mental health slurs/insults. It bothers me biiig time.

[lonely16]

I wish wish wish there could be more awareness and talks about being sensitive. This should be something that is ingrained in children. Just like you would never joke about cancer you would never joke about depression.
I think the problem isn't that people are mean, they can actually be very nice, its just that they don't understand because, I think, like Astro04 said, they don't struggle with these things.

[Ennui.]

I agree with you wholeheartedly that mental health is something that should be taught from childhood in age-appropriate ways, and that if people aren’t struggling with mental health it’s hard for them to understand. I’d set healthy boundaries with the people in your life that certain jokes or comments are off limits, and explain that you find them insensitive. You don’t have to go into your whole story if you’re not comfortable with it.

[Rika]

Originally Posted by Wheek!

I agree with you wholeheartedly that mental health is something that should be taught from childhood in age-appropriate ways, and that if people aren’t struggling with mental health it’s hard for them to understand. I’d set healthy boundaries with the people in your life that certain jokes or comments are off limits, and explain that you find them insensitive. You don’t have to go into your whole story if you’re not comfortable with it.

Yep, agreed. I think mental health should be taught in schools when the kids are older. Maybe junior high or so?